Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to influence brain activity. A magnetic coil is placed on the scalp, sending pulses through the skull to stimulate specific areas of the brain. This can change brain chemistry and promote healing, making TMS useful for treating mental health conditions like:
TMS is considered a safe and well-tolerated procedure when administered by trained healthcare professionals.
TMS is an FDA-approved, non-invasive therapeutic approach offering significant relief from depression symptoms. It is often recommended when conventional therapies such as antidepressant medication and talk therapy have failed. TMS is used to help treat the following:
TMS is predominantly used in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), providing relief for individuals grappling with treatment-resistant depression. Through magnetic pulses, TMS targets specific brain regions responsible for mood and depressive symptoms.
Following successful outcomes in alleviating depression, the FDA approved TMS for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). For those unresponsive to conventional treatments, TMS offers an alternative by modulating brain activity to reduce compulsive behaviors and thought patterns.
TMS exhibits promise in reducing depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder, contributing to maintenance care and addressing bipolar mixed states.
TMS therapy becomes an option for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), especially when it comes as a symptom of other conditions like MDD or OCD. By targeting specific brain areas, TMS can alleviate anxiety symptoms by reducing excessive neural activity.
TMS is proven effective in reducing symptoms stemming from traumatic experiences or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Combining TMS with cognitive therapy can address anxiety, worry, and fear by targeting specific brain regions associated with these symptoms.
TMS emerges as a viable option for managing chronic pain, often intertwined with depression. By addressing depression symptoms, TMS aids individuals in finding relief, also targeting neurotransmitters associated with pain.
TMS demonstrates potential in reducing auditory hallucinations by modulating overactive brain regions in schizophrenia patients. While its efficacy for visual hallucinations remains uncertain, individuals may find relief from specific symptoms.
Research suggests TMS can curb nicotine cravings by influencing dopamine levels. This opens avenues for exploring its potential in treating various addictions tied to dopamine like tobacco, alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine. However, further research is needed to establish its effectiveness across different types of addiction.
TMS helps stimulate neurons in the bilateral insula and prefrontal cortex, reducing tobacco cravings and increasing cognitive control.
There are many benefits to choosing TMS as a treatment option for depression and other mental health conditions. Here are just a few:
TMS therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment option, meaning no surgery or anesthesia is required.
TMS treatment has been shown to be effective in treating depression and other mental health conditions, even in individuals who have not found fulfillment in traditional treatments.
Unlike medication, TMS for MDD has minimal side effects, typically resolving quickly after the session.
TMS treatment does not require any downtime. There is no trouble remembering or concentrating, so patients can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment.
At Clarity Clinic, we provide personalized care to every patient, ensuring their treatment plan is tailored to their unique needs and goals.
In addition to TMS therapy, we offer a range of other mental health services to provide comprehensive care to our patients.
Schedule your free Clarity Clinic TMS consultation to ask questions or discuss any concerns you may have about TMS. If you have no contraindications and are a suitable candidate, we will arrange a comprehensive in-person evaluation at one of our TMS clinics.
After your initial consultation, you will have an in-person TMS evaluation. This evaluation will give us the necessary information to request prior authorization for TMS coverage from your insurance provider. We will then schedule your initial and all subsequent treatment sessions.
Your first TMS appointment will begin with a 'mapping' session to determine your unique treatment intensity and location. During all your TMS sessions, you'll be reclined in a comfortable chair and be able to watch TV, listen to music, etc. After your sessions, you can drive and resume your day as usual.
At Clarity Clinic, our TMS therapy includes repeated TMS cycles with rest periods. A licensed physician handles the diagnosis while a trained TMS technician conducts remaining sessions.
TMS therapy sessions typically:
During the session, patients are awake and can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.
TMS is non-invasive and does not require any anesthesia and is not to be confused with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). As there is no recovery period, people can immediately get back to their usual activities.
Around 50-60% of people with depression who did not see improvements using medication find relief through TMS. About one-third of them experience a full remission, meaning their symptoms completely go away.
While these results are positive, they are not permanent. Like other mood disorder treatments, TMS doesn't stop depression from coming back, but many patients feel better for several months after treatment stops, with the average length of response being more than a year. Patients often opt to return for subsequent rounds of TMS treatment if/when they begin to feel symptoms returning.
